ESPN has been hit so hard by layoffs the last few years, even some of its sharpest critics don't seem to have the heart to kick the network when it's down. Or maybe they're just out of ammo.

Reactions by noted ESPN antagonists, from Clay Travis to Britt McHenry to Bill Simmons, were rather muted as ESPN president John Skipper announced another round of layoffs Wednesday morning.

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ESPN president John Skipper announced the layoffs in a memo to employees on Wednesday. (Mark Lennihan/AP)

"Today we are informing approximately 150 people at ESPN that their jobs are being eliminated," Skipper said in a statement. "We appreciate their contributions, and will assist them as much as possible in this difficult moment with severance, a 2017 bonus, the continuation of health benefits and outplacement services. They will also appreciate your support."

Skipper said most of the jobs being eliminated belong to regular folks -- producers and writers and content producers -- who work behind the scenes. In April, ESPN laid off about 100 mostly recognizable on-air talent including Ed Werder and John Clayton amid sagging cable subscriptions and a global transformation in how people consume media.

ESPN has also slogged through a series of self-inflicted embarrassments over the last year including the Robert Lee controversy, the Jemele Hill suspension, and firing of Doug Adler, all of which have become conservative talking points for why the network has been laying so many people off.

Even President Trump has tried to link Hill's social media activity to the network's falling ratings. In October, at the height of his war against ESPN, Trump tweeted, "With Jemele Hill at the mike, it is no wonder ESPN ratings have 'tanked.' In fact, tanked so badly it is the talk of the industry!"

Trump, who seemingly has a tweet for every occasion, laid off the network Wednesday. (He was hitting NBC, Matt Lauer and CNN, instead.)

Since 2015, ESPN has executed at least three rounds of layoffs. In October 2015, the network put 300 people out of work. In April of this year, 100 more, mostly on-air personalities, lost their jobs. Including Wednesday's cuts, ESPN has laid off more than 500 people.

While it has put so many people out of work, ESPN gave Skipper a fat extension through 2021 earlier this month, adding to the network's pile of PR fumbles.

Travis, of Outkick the Coverage, pointed this out Wednesday in his only tweet aimed at ESPN.

ESPN is firing 150 people today. Good thing they gave the CEO tanking the company a raise and extension. https://t.co/FdiKWbaqCU

Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy, whose "Barstool Van Talk" collaboration with ESPN was axed after one episode this fall, tweeted a note of sympathy for those affected by the layoffs.

"Despite what people may think I take no pleasure in this," Portnoy wrote. "I wish ESPN wasn't falling apart right before Christmas and destroying families. My condolences to all the lives John Skipper ruined. Thoughts and prayers go out to them."

Despite what people may think I take no pleasure in this. I wish ESPN wasn't falling apart right before Christmas and destroying families. My condolences to all the lives John Skipper ruined. Thoughts and prayers go out to them https://t.co/p3653UwJOP